Tens of thousands take part in Istanbul rally for jailed mayor / Photo: Yasin AKGUL - AFP
-
Ecuador's Death Canal: watery grave for victims of gang violence
-
In Venezuela's quake ruins, a baby is born
-
'Unique event': Solar eclipse fever fills empty Spain
-
What to know about the total solar eclipse due in August
-
Venezuela says Caracas airport to reopen to commercial flights 'soon as possible'
-
Trump, NATO allies to begin key talks at Turkey summit
-
World Cup: Eight teams remain in the hunt for glory
-
Former Real Madrid coach Arbeloa named Fulham manager
-
'A nice surprise': Marathon man Djokovic revels in Wimbledon epic
-
Messi inspires Argentina great escape over Egypt, Swiss advance
-
Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties to reach World Cup quarter-finals
-
US strikes Iran after Hormuz attacks, Tehran threatens response
-
Djokovic survives Wimbledon's longest quarter-final to book Sinner blockbuster
-
Djokovic wins five-hour epic to earn Sinner showdown at Wimbledon
-
'Flunked': US soccer seeks answers as World Cup dream shattered
-
US strikes Iran after Hormuz tanker attacks: military
-
Mbappe revels in captain's role for France at World Cup
-
Messi 'didn't want to go home' as Argentina comeback stuns Egypt
-
Iyer's India 'atrocious' in record 125-run T20 defeat by England
-
Netflix strikes deals in short-form video push
-
Rain hands West Indies series win over Sri Lanka
-
The height factor: how a small building survived Venezuela's quakes
-
World Cup exit puts another nail in America's summer of fun
-
Egypt 'cheated' in controversial World Cup exit to Messi's Argentina, says Hassan
-
US revokes Iran oil waiver after Hormuz tanker attacks
-
Global AI industry falls short on safety, think tank warns
-
England quicks star as India suffer record 125-run T20 defeat
-
'History made': Egyptian pride despite World Cup heartbreak
-
Cardinal tipped to be pope accused of molesting several women
-
How rescuers carried out 180-hour 'miracle' amid Venezuela's ruins
-
How rescuers carried out 180-hour 'miracle' amid Venzuela's ruins
-
Victorious Belgian footballers troll Trump with YMCA dance
-
I can still win another Grand Slam, says Osaka after Wimbledon exit
-
Scotland boss Townsend expects Russell will face Springboks
-
France's Le Pen says still running for president
-
Messi inspires Argentina great escape over Egypt
-
Argentina produce epic World Cup fightback to beat Egypt, reach quarters
-
Zverev, Cobolli targeting rematch at Wimbledon
-
Canada province preparing lawsuit against OpenAI over school shooting
-
Colombia president-elect accuses outgoing leader of 'coup' plotting
-
Lidl-Trek celebrate 'perfect' day at Tour de France
-
IOC eases restrictions on Russians before 2028 LA Games as anthem, flag ban remains
-
Cavs agree on Mitchell deal as LeBron watches: report
-
Muchova ends Osaka run to reach Wimbledon semis
-
Turkish delight: Trump revels in Erdogan's lavish welcome
-
Mexico probing if US violated sovereignty in 2024 drug lord capture
-
Nigeria's Dangote confirms Lamu, Kenya for east Africa mega-refinery
-
Zverev reaches first Wimbledon quarter-final
-
Study points to likely route for Hannibal's legendary Alpine crossing
-
Nordic joy as Traeen takes yellow, Pedersen wins Tour de France 4th stage
Tens of thousands take part in Istanbul rally for jailed mayor
Tens of thousands of people took part in a rally Wednesday in Istanbul to support the city's jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu who has become the figurehead of an opposition campaign against the government.
The demonstration was one of the biggest in recent weeks and came as the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) sought to relaunch its effort for Imamoglu who was detained in March.
"Our struggle is the struggle for democracy, for freedom," CHP leader Ozgur Ozel told the rally.
Imamoglu, who was detained on March 19 on corruption charges which he strongly denies, is seen as the biggest rival to longtime leader President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The arrest could stop Imamoglu taking part in presidential election scheduled for 2028.
In the days after Imamoglu's arrest tens of thousands of people took part in near daily protests. But numbers had dwindled in recent weeks.
The latest protest was held outside Istanbul University that had stripped Imamoglu of his degree the day before his arrest.
"We have come here today to take back his diploma," Ozel told the crowd.
He said that a petition demanding the release of Imamoglu and for immediate elections had secured 14.8 million signatures nationwide.
H.Darwish--SF-PST
